sleeps 16, Top rental -MN Monthly Magazine
About this cottage rental
From the moment you walk in the door you will feel completely at home at the barn at Madeline Island. Sleeps 16 in beds/featured in MN Monthly, Midwest Home, Martha Stewart Weddings and featured on the Discovery Channel (Great Retreats). Our home is located on over 900' of private lakeshore (18 acres) surrounded by beautiful white pine, maple and birch forest. The 3000 square foot home was built in 2003 from a 200 year old Vermont hay barn we had disassembled, transported and painstakingly reassembled into a luxury vacation home. The hand hewn beams inside are up to 20' in diameter and the walls are original barn board. Enjoy our over-sized dock at sunset. Stand Up Paddle Boards are waiting for you at the lake... You and your kids will love swimming at the shore. A charming treehouse for the kids and a handmade bonfire area to enjoy marshmallows and cocktails. You will feel warm and comfortable from the moment you step inside to find a gourmet kitchen with Viking range and all of the amenities needed to relax and or entertain in grand style. Sit on the huge deck with family or friends and watch the sun set over the islands. A perfect retreat for a couple, a wedding, a reunion or a larger group of friends looking to experience peace and quiet on Madeline Island. We've hosted gorgeous weddings, family retreats, reunions and honeymoons. We take extra pains to make sure your needs are met. (caretakers are down the road!) The Barn is truly a work of art that needs to be seen to be fully appreciated. We are 7 miles from the town of LaPointe where you'll find restaurants, bars, ice cream and souvenir shopping. There are tennis courts available as well as a Robert Trent Jones-designed golf course. Moped, kayak and bicycle rental also available. Take the ferry over to Bayfield for a day trip of shopping and dinner out. Available for weekly (7 night minimum) rentals during July and August or shorter periods in fall, winter and spring (3 night minimum). This review sums up your future experience at our home: "The home was BEAUTIFUL. It was decorated lovely, with a warm and cozy feeling. It was spacious, clean, very comfortable and the view to Lake Superior breathtaking. The home had all the amenities we needed and the gourmet kitchen was fabulous. We spent a lot of time on the huge deck, which had comfortable seating for all. The dock was large and awesome where we spent a lot of time sunbathing, taking a dip in Lake Superior to cool off and trying our skills on the paddleboard. We had a lovely time and we all agreed that it was one of our best vacations. We also want to thank the owner for calling us to make sure we had everything we needed. That's customer service at it's finest. " COME JOIN US!
Amenities
Pets allowed
Kitchen / Kitchenette
Internet / Wifi
Fireplace
Parking
Laundry
Balcony / Patio
Dishwasher
Hot Tub / Spa
TV
Garden
Family friendly
Map of Wisconsin
Cottage in Wisconsin
Reasons to book
People love it hereGuests give this property a top rating
Great for pets
Includes essentialsGarden, Pets allowed, Kitchen / Kitchenette and more
$$$$
Reviews
5.0/5.0
Outstanding(55 Reviews)
5.0
We stayed at The Barn for our small intimate wedding the second weekend in September and it was the perfect place. The woodwork throughout the place gives it so much fun character. Absolutely stunning place and location. Perfect for large family gathering. The kitchen has everything you could possibly need and there is plenty of seating for dining. The weather was beautiful (60s) and the trees blocked a lot of the wind. If you’re debating whether or not to book this place, this is your sign! We can’t wait to make a trip back some day.
5.0
We had a wonderful stay over New Year's with a group of friends. The Barn was beautiful, warm, & well stocked. The owners were very responsive and gracious.
5.0
Thank you for sharing your great property with us. It is a unique home that provides a wonderful place to stay. Just being there takes you to a completely different place. I would definitely reccomend it if you are considering it.
5.0
Singular property
The main level of this house is truly spectacular -- the views, the screen porch, the deck, the living room, the kitchen -- it's unparalleled. The lower level is fine for, say, kids or teenagers sleeping, but it's only partially finished, and there is no bathroom down there. (For example: one of the sleeping accommodations was a mattress on the floor in a room where wood is stacked.) This was fine for us, we had teenagers that didn't care at all. But something to consider if you are going on a girl's weekend where you need more than two bathrooms, and people are looking for their own bedrooms with more than a curtain of separation.
Four of the bedrooms, on the main level and upper level, are absolutely charming and have access to bathrooms.
The house is filled with vintage and antique pieces, unique art, and thoughtfully planned main level spaces. I would absolutely stay here again.
5.0
We found the Barn down a long, serene gravel road, lined on both sides by snow-blanketed trees. This Christmas, we had decided to scale down the frenetic buying of stuff and instead find a family retreat to get away from the busy pace of our city life. My wife and I arrived with 7 of our 8 kids in tow. On arrival, the Barn looked warm and inviting, surrounded by forest and backed by wintery blue-green Lake Superior.
Inside, the home was cozy and immaculately clean. Two hundred year old hand carved beams, shelves lined with books, and souvenirs and mementos of the host family’s travels and time together add to the soul of the house. There was plenty of room for us to spread out, but the large open center space also seemed to draw us together. During our stay, we consumed gallons of hot cocoa, roasted s’mores in the magnificent stone wood-burning fireplace, played board games, had snow-ball fights and explored the lakeside treehouse. We also ventured down to the snow-covered dock to do some star gazing in the inky-black winter sky. The kitchen was more than well-stocked with everything we needed to prepare large family meals. The beds were comfy and the linens crisp. The basement space was perfect for the kids when they were ready for some escape time.
Although not much is open in winter on the island, we found basic incidental needs were met at the convenience store. (You should plan to pack in your groceries from the mainland.) We also stopped in at the funky little local coffee shop for hot chocolate and a lively discussion about the spiritual history of the island with the shop owner.
All told, we found the Barn was just as amazing as advertised. The owner was very responsive when we needed the driveway plowed so we could get out. Communication was prompt, and check-in and check-out were easy. We look forward to returning to experience the island in the summer. Without a doubt, we would stay here again.
5.0
All that we had hoped for and more
We found the Barn down a long, serene gravel road, lined on both sides by snow-blanketed trees. This Christmas, we had decided to scale down the frenetic buying of stuff and instead find a family retreat to get away from the busy pace of our city life. My wife and I arrived with 7 of our 8 kids in tow. On arrival, the Barn looked warm and inviting, surrounded by forest and backed by wintery blue-green Lake Superior.
Inside, the home was cozy and immaculately clean. Two hundred year old hand carved beams, shelves lined with books, and souvenirs and mementos of the host family’s travels and time together add to the soul of the house. There was plenty of room for us to spread out, but the large open center space also seemed to draw us together. During our stay, we consumed gallons of hot cocoa, roasted s’mores in the magnificent stone wood-burning fireplace, played board games, had snow-ball fights and explored the lakeside treehouse. We also ventured down to the snow-covered dock to do some star gazing in the inky-black winter sky. The kitchen was more than well-stocked with everything we needed to prepare large family meals. The beds were comfy and the linens crisp. The basement space was perfect for the kids when they were ready for some escape time.
Although not much is open in winter on the island, we found basic incidental needs were met at the convenience store. (You should plan to pack in your groceries from the mainland.) We also stopped in at the funky little local coffee shop for hot chocolate and a lively discussion about the spiritual history of the island with the shop owner.
All told, we found the Barn was just as amazing as advertised. The owner was very responsive when we needed the driveway plowed so we could get out. Communication was prompt, and check-in and check-out were easy. We look forward to returning to experience the island in the summer. Without a doubt, we would stay here again.
5.0
Perfect weekend 😊
I stayed at The Barn for a long weekend and we celebrated our intimate wedding there. Hosts were so great with communication in making it smooth and answering any extra questions we had about the island. The setting is serene and relaxing with any amenities you could ever ask for. This made our whole celebration relaxing and enjoyable. Everyone from kids to grandparents enjoyed their time. All the locals on the island seem to know The Barn and the hosts and were so great in recommending different spots to check out, take photos, get food, etc. Will definitely be coming back!!
5.0
The barn is quite a magnificent work of carpentry. I spent a good portion of my time here staring at all the hand carved woodwork. The property and the view were equally as stunning. The kitchen, as advertised, had everything we could possibly need for our large group. Lots of seating to share a meal with friends and family. Would definitely love to come back!
5.0
Beautiful!
We loved the Barn & enjoyed our week there as a family for our wedding.
It is such a special place & we will cherish our stay there for years to come!
5.0
Stunning property
The barn is quite a magnificent work of carpentry. I spent a good portion of my time here staring at all the hand carved woodwork. The property and the view were equally as stunning. The kitchen, as advertised, had everything we could possibly need for our large group. Lots of seating to share a meal with friends and family. Would definitely love to come back!
5.0
The Barn is absolutely amazing! This was my second consecutive year staying at the barn. Such a unique and special place to stay.
5.0
Family trip
The Barn is absolutely amazing! This was my second consecutive year staying at the barn. Such a unique and special place to stay.
5.0
This was a pleasant property, nice amenities.
5.0
Excellent property, beautiful location
This was a pleasant property, nice amenities.
4.0
A lot of positives, but some quirks that diminished the value (especially in light of the high cost), in part because we stayed in the winter. The positives: owner, Sanders, was extremely responsive both before and during the rental; the place was super clean; it's a beautiful space; lots of room to sleep; nice kitchen to cook in, but there were some downsides with that too; lots of firewood; decent view of lake. The negatives were not huge, but the cost to rent this house is very high, and given that, our expectations were high as well. Things that detracted from our visit: although advertised as having one, there was no tea kettle (Sanders was very apologetic and even ordered one as soon as he could, but given the holiday, we didn't have it until our last couple of days...this was a bummer); several things in the kitchen were not great, including the much-advertised Viking range (half of the grill never worked at all, the other would go out periodically), no oven-on indicator light (for preheating purposes), sink faucet super loose and sprayer not working at all, fridge handle very loose; the lighting in the dining area is terrible, which likely is not an issue in summer when it's light longer...but in winter, it's a problem; there is an ok TV and we brought a device to stream movies but the wifi kept cutting out, making it very difficult; we tried dvd player there but the video did not work with the TV (for movies at least) - again, when it's winter and you're inside more, this is not great; it's nice that there are 2 bedrooms upstairs but there is a half wall only between them so very limited privacy, and the main floor bedroom door doesn't fully close either; very drafty and difficult to keep warm when weather cold; finally, there is no way to lock property, which may be perfectly safe but it's a little unsettling. Again, we spent more time there because of the season, but that is why we paid more and in the end, although it was very nice, it was not worth the amount charged for a winter stay.
4.0
Beautiful home on Madeline Island, probably best not in winter
A lot of positives, but some quirks that diminished the value (especially in light of the high cost), in part because we stayed in the winter. The positives: owner, Sanders, was extremely responsive both before and during the rental; the place was super clean; it's a beautiful space; lots of room to sleep; nice kitchen to cook in, but there were some downsides with that too; lots of firewood; decent view of lake. The negatives were not huge, but the cost to rent this house is very high, and given that, our expectations were high as well. Things that detracted from our visit: although advertised as having one, there was no tea kettle (Sanders was very apologetic and even ordered one as soon as he could, but given the holiday, we didn't have it until our last couple of days...this was a bummer); several things in the kitchen were not great, including the much-advertised Viking range (half of the grill never worked at all, the other would go out periodically), no oven-on indicator light (for preheating purposes), sink faucet super loose and sprayer not working at all, fridge handle very loose; the lighting in the dining area is terrible, which likely is not an issue in summer when it's light longer...but in winter, it's a problem; there is an ok TV and we brought a device to stream movies but the wifi kept cutting out, making it very difficult; we tried dvd player there but the video did not work with the TV (for movies at least) - again, when it's winter and you're inside more, this is not great; it's nice that there are 2 bedrooms upstairs but there is a half wall only between them so very limited privacy, and the main floor bedroom door doesn't fully close either; very drafty and difficult to keep warm when weather cold; finally, there is no way to lock property, which may be perfectly safe but it's a little unsettling. Again, we spent more time there because of the season, but that is why we paid more and in the end, although it was very nice, it was not worth the amount charged for a winter stay.
5.0
Awesome place if you are looking for a place in the woods on a lake.
5.0
Just Beautiful
Awesome place if you are looking for a place in the woods on a lake.
5.0
Incredible!
My husband and I chose to have our super small intimate wedding ceremony and dinner at The Barn with our closest friends and family. It was more than we could have ever imagined and the views are property took our breath away! Sanders was so helpful before we got there and even answered questions while we were there. All of our wedding guests and friends who stayed with us raved about The Barn. Such an amazing spot to choose for our special day! Highly highly highly recommend staying here!!
5.0
Our family really enjoyed our 3 nights at the Barn, and we wish we had a chance to stay longer. The main level, especially, is stunning (the pics do not really do it justice) and the detail and design utilizing the 200 year old lumber is very impressive. The upper level had a similar design and fit and finish but the lower level is, compared the the upper two levels, is fairly basic. The screen porch and deck are huge and great to enjoy a closer to nature experience. A superb place to chill, especially in the evening by the huge indoor fireplace or fire pit, both of which are well supplied. The owner did a great job organizing and outfitting the home and plenty of books and games will keep nearly anyone busy. The kitchen and pantry are great and we made most of our meals during our stay. The pier / shore is really secluded, water clear, and we took advantage of the 3 paddle boards. Be aware that the path down to the pier is rather steep. After driving around most of the island we feel that the property is one of the better spots on the island, especially is you want privacy in a really special and unique place. We would truly enjoy another stay at the Barn.
5.0
Wonderful stay
Our family really enjoyed our 3 nights at the Barn, and we wish we had a chance to stay longer. The main level, especially, is stunning (the pics do not really do it justice) and the detail and design utilizing the 200 year old lumber is very impressive. The upper level had a similar design and fit and finish but the lower level is, compared the the upper two levels, is fairly basic. The screen porch and deck are huge and great to enjoy a closer to nature experience. A superb place to chill, especially in the evening by the huge indoor fireplace or fire pit, both of which are well supplied. The owner did a great job organizing and outfitting the home and plenty of books and games will keep nearly anyone busy. The kitchen and pantry are great and we made most of our meals during our stay. The pier / shore is really secluded, water clear, and we took advantage of the 3 paddle boards. Be aware that the path down to the pier is rather steep. After driving around most of the island we feel that the property is one of the better spots on the island, especially is you want privacy in a really special and unique place. We would truly enjoy another stay at the Barn.
5.0
Perfect family vacation experience
The Barn was amazing! We had so much fun here. The house and setting are fantastic, just like the photos. The view, especially from the pier was something completely special. The western exposure produced some stunning sunsets. We had everything we needed here, comfortable beds, lots of firewood, no excuses here!
5.0
Perfect for Setting for a Special Occasion
Our plans for my parents 50th anniversary were cancelled due to the current state of affairs. This was a perfect spot for our small family gathering.
5.0
Beautiful Barn
We’d been to Madeline Island many times and this was one of our best experiences, in large part due to the specialness of the property. The Barn is beautiful, comfortable and extremely well organized for guests. Thanks so much.
5.0
Lovely get away
Beautiful property a couple miles up a gravel road in Madeline Island. A great place to get away, sit on the dock, relax by the fire pit, and read a book in the three season porch.
Downstairs, great area for kids with one king bed, and another bedroom with 4 beds (no bathroom downstairs) and TV with a ton of movies. Main level master shares a bathroom with another bedroom. Upstairs has two bedrooms, loft area and a bathroom.
The lake is a little walk down from the house, but it is a pretty pathway. A little tough to get kayaks or paddleboards down (but I think normally the owner keeps those things at the lake, we just came early in the season.)
We recommend staying and hope to be back another time.
5.0
Beautiful Seclusion
If you are looking for a beautiful and secluded location, this property is for you! Our family enjoyed relaxed days on the awesome screen porch and loved the coziness of the cabin itself. It is open and beautiful with enough room for everyone, but still feels like the comfort of your own home. We hosted a small family wedding and it was perfect. The deck held all of our guests and the yard was just big enough to let the kids run around. The walk down to the waterfront is not small child friendly, but older kids should have no problem. Overall, it was a wonderful family getaway. Thank you Sanders for a truly memorable stay!
5.0
Family Time
The Barn is a magnificent structure, tastefully appointed. The spacious setting was ideal for a family gathering-- dinners around the beautiful big dining table, games on the screened in porch, campfire gatherings and, of course, lots of time at the dock/in the big water.
4.0
Great place for a large family group.
The property was just as advertised, although a little shabbier than the pictures. It was fairly clean and well-equipped. The one complaint we had concerned the quality of the mattresses in several rooms. One bed didn't even have a mattress- only a box spring with a 2-3 inch foam pad on it. Several of his slept poorly every night. The house and grounds were shabbier than we expected. It seemed clear that the owner rarely checked the property. Don't miss the state park beach. It was great.
5.0
Very nice property
We had a wonderful time at this secluded comfortable property. Would definitely stay again.
5.0
Excellent Island home and waterfront
Dock was fine for us but some deck repairs are needed.
5.0
Christmas in the Barn
We stayed here over our Christmas holiday, and had a wonderful time. It was warm, cozy, and had pleanty of space for our big family. Sanders was extremely helpful and accommidating. We highly recommend a winter visit to the Barn.
5.0
Absolutely perfect
Our family had a fantastic time at the Barn. It was the most picturesque and comfortable place we could have imagined for our wedding.
5.0
Feel in love with the area
We were a multi-generation family of twelve and had such a good time - the best family trip (with kiddos ranging in age from 4 1/2 to 15) we've had. Lake Superior (and the dock at the barn to enjoy it) were simply beautiful. And when it comes to the kitchen and related amenities, the barn was perhaps the best rental I have stayed in.
5.0
The Barn and Madeline IS are serene and magical.
The Barn is the perfect compliment to an already wonderful vacation spot. Sanders and family have paid attention to every detail in turning The Barn into a beautiful vacation home and making their guests comfortable. The views are beautiful and we had so much fun as a family hanging out on the Superior dock, paddle boarding and making s’mores around the campfire.
5.0
Epic weekend!
Great spot for me and my friends. Amazing kitchen, deck, porches and room for everyone to eat together and have their own bed! Definitely will be back!
5.0
Beautiful, spacious home with a great view of Lake Superior.
This is a perfect place for a large family/group getaway. We had 12 in our group and had more than enough room for everyone. Great views of the lake and the sunsets were amazing. The large kitchen and butlers pantry made it easy to prepare large meals together. Huge deck with a gas grill big enough to cook 24 hamburgers and a dozen brats at the same time. The path to the pier is pretty steep and narrow but worth the hike once you get to the pier. A solid long pier with chairs to sit in a take in the beauty. Paddle boards are available, but bring your own life vest as there are none provided. I did fall off of a paddle board and wished I’d had a life vest on. Thankfully the caretakers of the house live next door and heard my call for help. They were able to get to me quickly and help me get back on the board. Thank you so much to both of them for their help. All in all this was a great place to spend some time unwinding. We would definitely stay here again! Loved it! Thank you Sanders for sharing your beautiful home!
5.0
Beautiful property
Beautiful property, great and easy communication with owner, would return in a heartbeat!!
5.0
Stunning Home in Gorgeous Location
Sander's home in the Apostle Islands was stunning. Our large family group was able to gather there for a weekend get-away and all of us had plenty of space to spread out as well as hang out together. The large dining table was great for family meals, and the screened in porch was much appreciated as an additional space.
5.0
My family has vacationed on Madeline Island for the past 40+ years, renting vacation homes for the past ten or so. We have stayed in some very nice places, but this one is really magnificent. The home itself is beatiful. The space is warm and welcoming, and very nicely finished. The waterfront has beautiful views and the dock is nice for lounging in the sun and jumping into the lake. Great deck and screen porch. A quick bike ride to the town park (big beach, bog walk, etc.). The kids loved the trampoline. Overall just a really great property!
Worth mentioning too that the owners were very nice and easy to communicate with, and they had care takers just a phone call away should you have any questions during your stay.
4.0
Great weather, plenty of what we needed in the home. More lighting prefered by some. Lots of places to sleep! Wasn't expecting a steep climb down to the shore. Discovered the newly built kids' tree house. Perfect spot to bring kids. We could tell there are kids with the owners - wonderful! Very wooded and private. This would be a wonderful spot for a retreat! Thank you for opening your home to us and we hope to come again!
FAQs
How much does this cottage cost compared to others in Wisconsin?
The average price for a rental in Wisconsin is $200 per night. This rental is $775 above the average.
Is parking included with this cottage?
Yes, parking is listed as an amenity at sleeps 16, Top rental -MN Monthly Magazine. For more information, we encourage you to contact the property about where to park.
Is there a pool at this cottage?
We didn’t find pool listed as an amenity for this cottage. It may be worth double checking if a pool is important for your stay.
Is sleeps 16, Top rental -MN Monthly Magazine pet friendly?
Yes! This cottage is pet-friendly. For more information, we recommend contacting the booking provider about animal policies.
What amenities are available at sleeps 16, Top rental -MN Monthly Magazine?
We found 12 amenities for this rental. This includes pets allowed, kitchen / kitchenette, internet / wifi, fireplace, and parking.
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